Whether it's a deal for big fishes Rick Nash or Jeff Carter, or a more complementary piece like Antoine Vermette, all eyes as the Feb. 27 NHL trade deadline approaches are on Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson, who says no trades are imminent.

TSN.ca's Bob McKenzie on Monday said he believes the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers are the front-runners for Nash. The Rangers could offer forward Brandon Dubinsky ($4.5 million cap hit), prospects Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller and potentially defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who McKenzie says they'd rather not move.

The Philadelphia Flyers, according to McKenzie, have pulled back because of Columbus' asking price, which is believed to include young forwards Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn. The same is the case with the Toronto Maple Leafs; like his counterpart in Philadelphia, Paul Holmgren, Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke spoke in person with Howson about a potential Nash deal.

As for Carter, he also has been reported as a target of the Kings, including by CBC.ca's Elliotte Friedman. A trade to Los Angeles would reunite him with former Flyers teammate Mike Richards, who, like Carter, was dealt during the Flyers' offseason makeover.

"There's no secret to the possibility of him being traded," Richards told MayorsManor.com. "Obviously, if he came here, that would be a benefit to our team. But, we don't want to give a lot of things up because I think we have a good group here, too."